Review: Shen Tao's "The Poet Empress" Subverts Genre Tropes in a Gutting Tale of Survival
By
by: Annie
Toasted just enough. A reliable bake, gently seasoned.
Summary
A review of Shen Tao's novel "The Poet Empress," which follows Yin Wei, a rice farmer's daughter during a famine who volunteers to become a concubine for the crown prince. The review highlights how the book subverts common tropes in the genre and deals with heavy themes including interpersonal violence, torture, and references to child sexual abuse.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledYin Wei is used to having to make hard choices, but that doesn't make anything easier for her in Shen Tao's gutting, trope-defying novel, The Poet Empress.
Wei is a rice farmer's daughter in the middle of a famine.
There is no sign that anyone in the government or from the magically blessed imperial family will offer assistance.
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